Forum for European-Australian Science and Technology cooperation
The website now contains details of the FEAST Conference 2006, including a list of confirmed, high profile, speakers from Australia and Europe. Registrations are to be made online, and discounts are available for FEAST members.
A flyer can be downloaded from the site. Please circulate this information widely, particularly to high level researchers, research administrators, directors, executives, and beaurocrats, both in Australia and in Europe.
Information is beginning to pour out of the Commision about the upoming Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (FP7). As we digest this information, we are synthesising it for our members and uploading it to our website at www.feast.org/fp7.
Of particular interest, at this stage, are the official documents listed at www.feast.org/fp7/?documents. We encourage all Australian members to begin networking with their European colleagues, if they haven’t already begun doing so, with regards to participating in FP7. We would also encourage our European members to contact their colleagues in Australia, informing them of research opportunities within the new Programme, in particular any developments towards building consortia (yes! Australians can participate).
Professor Heinrich Hofmann will present an insightful talk about the challenges of, and solutions to, international collaboration. This seminar is will be of high value to all researchers with international ties, or looking to develop international links.
Venue: National Europe Centre, ANU, Liversidge St, Canberra. Refreshments will be provided.
See www.feast.org/diary/?ID=223 for details.
Australia has an enviable reputation in fusion energy. The fusion process was first discovered by an Australian. Sir Mark Oliphant, in the early 1930s. Since this date, Australians have been involved in programmatic fusion development. Australia’s own magnetic confinement program commenced at the ANU and the University of Sydney in the early 1960s. The present centrepiece of Australian fusion research is the H1 Major National Research Facility at the ANU. H1 is a medium-sized stellarator, and supports a range of plasma diagnostics, magnetic configurations, turbulence and wave physics research. H-1 research is complemented by active fusion theory development, and extensive materials science research and capability.
Whilst Australia is blessed with significant resources of primary energy, the enormity of climate change arguably requires research into diverse, sustainable energy technologies. In this regard, Australia’s continued involvement in fusion research and its possible involvement in the ITER project should be considered as an important investment for the future.
See www.feast.org/diary/?ID=230 for details.
We are currently finalising details for our major annual conference. The event is called FEAST Conference 2006: Research without borders. It will be held in Canberra at the Australian Academy of Science’s Shine Dome. Speakers will include key players from science and science policy from both Australia and Europe.
For further information, including a list of confirmed speakers, visit the Conference website, www.feast.org/conference2006. Registration are now open, and there are earlybird savings for FEAST members.